Shingle stacker



Jan. 12 1926. I H. REICHEL.

sHINGLE sTAcKER Filed Nov. 28, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IRT/672507.

Jan. 12 1926.

H. REICHEL SHINGLE STACKEH Filed Nov. 28, 192.4

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 InveW/of o 3703@ l d.. f .torg

Jan. 12 1926.

- H. RElcHEL svHINGLE sTAcKER Filed Nov. 28. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

Patented Jan. 12, 1926.

yUNITEDI `STATES l 1,569,033 PATENT OFFICE.

HUGO REICHEL. 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHINGLE srncxnn.

Application lcd November 28, 1924".v Serial No. 752,528.

To all whom lit may concern:

Be it known that l, HUGO Rizrcnnm a c1tizen of the United States, residing at Chicago` in the county of Cook and State of terial, permits their accumulation in piles or bundles of predetermined size or weight, maintains the bundles of predetermined size or weight, maintains the bundles in even alignment, and discharges them when they reach their predetermined size.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of my machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is -an end view;

Figure 4 is asection on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a detail.

All parts are illustrated by like characteristics throughout the specification and drawmes.

i is avshingle stacking machine frame mounted upon or secured to any suitable Hoor or supporting element.

Mounted adjacent the stacking machine is any suitable shingleA cutting mechanism, the details of which form no part'herein. I illustrate, of the shingle cutting mechanism only the shingle supporting surface B having the reciprocating element B1 which is actuated by the arm B2, and discharges from the surface B the shingles B, which are delivered thence to the shingle stacking mechanism below described. It will be understood that there `is a definite predetermined relation or synchronization between the reciprocation of the element B1 and the actuating of the stacking mechanism below described.

C is a longitudinally positioned `shaft suitably mounted in the frame elements A and provided at one end with a sprocket C1 adapted to be-driven by means of the chain C2 from the shingle cutting machine,

in definite relation to -or synchronization.

with the deliveries of the shingle from the shingle cutter. It will be understood that the shaft C is continuouslyv rotated at constant speed. Mounted on the end of the shaft is the larger sprocket Cs which through the chain C4 drives the sprocket C*s on the shaft C6 parallel with the shaft C and at the opposite side of the mechanism. The bevel gear C7 on the shaft C6 isin mesh with the bevel gear C8 on the transverse shaft C. Keyed to C9 are s rockets C10 C10 about which pass the bun le conveyin chains C11 C11 which pass about the sproc ets CHC fast on the shaft C14. The sprockets C are rotatably mounted on the shaft C14 and are surrounded by the bundle receiving and supporting chains C16 the purpose of which will later appear.

The shaft D, parallel with and beneath the shaft C is driven' intermittently therefrom in the following manner. The pinion D*L keyed to the shaft C is in mesh with the gear D2 rotatably mountedl about the shaft D and provided with any suitable clutch element D". Keyed to the shaft D is the opposed clutch element D4. The clutch element D4 is normally kept in an inoperative position by means of the wedge bar 0r lever E which is pivoted as at E1 to the frame A. When the bar is in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 the clutch elements are separated and the shaft D is not rotating` although the gear Dz is constantly driven by the pinion D1. The bar Eis periodically lifted in the following manner: E2 is a worm on the shaft C in mesh with the worm gear E3 on the transverse shaft E4 at the opposite end of which is the cam element E in opposition to the vertical pin E6 guided by the guide EI and contacting with its lower end the lever E. The number of 'teeth on the worm gear E, which is constantly rotated with the shaft C- determines the number of rotations of the shaft E* which shall intervene between successive liftings of the lever E and engagements of the opposed clutch members D D". Thus when the lever E is lifted the shaft D rotates in response to the rotation of the gear D. The sha-ft D, once its rotation begins, makes one complete rotation and then stops, since the effective end of the lever E has meanwhile drop ed back into position, being yieldingly rawn downwardly,L for example, by the coil spring El, and thereby discon- G4 at opposite ends of the shaft, on the` outer ends of which are positioned the rollers G5. When the shaft G rotates the arms G1 contact and lift the levers G which are .crank pins IT5 to clear, and they make a pivoted as at G7 to the frame, pivoted to the levers Gr6 as at Gs arethe substantially vertical links G9 which in turn are pivoted-at their upper ends as at G1o to the table G11 which is slidably mounted along the vertical aXis in the ends of the frame A. It will be understood that when the shaft is at rest the arms G* are in vertical position and the levers G1 are raised and .theI top of the table G11 is in the position shown in the dotted line in Figure 4 being substantially above the sprockets C10 and the chain G11.

The shaft G also carries a pair of cams H positioned adjacent the arms G4. These cams are in opposition tothe levers H1 which are pivoted as at H2 and have at each end rollers H3 H4. IVhen the cams H contact the rollers I-I3 and depress them the rollers H4 are raised and lift the levers I9.

I is an actuating or abutment'plate ver..

tically positioned on the frame A to one side of the table G11 and the chains C11. It is adapted to receive the shingles B3 as they are projected from the table B by the reciprocating bar B1. The element I is penetrated adjacent its top by a plurality of apertures I1 through which pass the shingle receiving fingers 'I2 which areI secured to the longitudinal supporting bar I3 pivoted to the upper ends of the levers I4L which in turn are pivoted as at Ii upon the frames A. The levers I1 are joined adjacent the top and the bottom bv longitudinal reinforcing or bracing elements I6 I7. Pivoted to the bottom of the levers I4 as at I8 are the levers I9 weighted as at I1 and provided with the updrawn rectangular hook element I11.

K is a longitudinal shaft parallel with the shaft G and positioned at about the same level. It is driven from the shaft D by means of the gear K1 on the. shaft D and the pinion K2 on the shaft K, the relative size of Agear and pinion being such that the shaft K makes two complete revolutions during the single revolution of the shaft Dl. Keyed to the shaft K are the crank disks K4 having on them each a crank pin Kli adapted to engage the.v rectangular hook member 111.; When the shaft K is at rest drawn to the right with it and the lever I is in the position shown in dotted` line in Figure 4; Upon the rotation of the shaft K the crank pins K press against the rectangular hook element I11 and thrust it into the position shown in full line in Figure 4. By the time the crank pins KF reach their position at the left of the crank disks K4 the cam H engages vthe roller H3 of the lever H1. and lifts the roller H1 and with it the right end of the lever I. The hook I11 is thereby lifted so high as to permit the complete revolution.

IVhen the crank pins K5 lreturn to the position shown in full line in Figure 4 the hook element I11 have'been released by the cams H and are in the position shown in full line in Figure 4. The crank pins K accordingly enter into the hooks and as the crank disks continue their rotation they drawy the lever I1 -to the right and thus withdraw the upper end of the lever I4 to the left, withdrawing the supporting fingers I2 from the position above the stacking table G11 at which point they come to rest.

Positioned adjacent the top of the frame elements A at substantially the level of the shaftlGis the (rocking bar L. Secured to itis tie upwar ly projectin ta in late L1 which is adapted to thrdgst tlhl siiigles B3 against the opposed vertical guide or stop vplate I. The rock shaft L is reduced atits end as at L2, the cylindrical reduced portion being rotatably mounted eccentrically within the sleeves L3. Associated with the sleeves L3 are the slotted arms L. The arms L5 are mounted at each end of the table G11 and have the pins L6 which engage in the slots of the arms L". As the table raises and lowers it causes the sleeve L3 to rotate and moves the plate L1 to and from the bundle of shingles.

Keyed to the rock shaftL is the crank arm L1lto the outer end of which is pivot ed the link L11 the opposite end of which is -pivoted to the crank pin L12 on the crank disk L13 keyed upon the inner end of the shaft C, I

In order to prevent a rebound of the upper ends of the levers I1. and oscillation of the fingers I2, I provide damping means for damping the rotation of said lever and for preventing vibration or oscillation of the lever at the termination of its desired eX- cursion. I therefore rotate the arms I* about the fixed shaft I5- which isheld against rotation in relation to the frame elements A. Surrounding the shaft II5 and preferably keyed to it are the bearing sleeves I20 being provided with a collar I21 at one end and being screw threaded at the other. A screw made in the size, yshape,number, relation and` disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish the showing herein to bet-aken as in a broad sense illustrative, rather than as limiting me to the specific form of device herein shown.

The use and operation of my inventionare as follows: y

I provide a stacking mechanism which is adaptable for stacking relatively thinbroad articles, such as shingles and the like. My stacking mechanism is preferably employed in connection with a shingle cutting device, the details of which form no part of the present invention. I thereforeillustrate merely the delivery table B upon which the shingles are deposited as they are cut, and from which they are projected by the reciprocating arm B1. and whence theyvare received by the stacking table G11 or the supporting arms I2. The operation of the stacking mechanismis preferably synchronized with the movement of the reciprocating bar B1, so that the tapping vplate L will tap each shingle into position against the vertical guide or stop I, as it is delivered from the table B.

Broadly stated, my invention consists of means for receiving the successively fed thin articles. as above described, and means for conveying them away, after a predetermined number of such articles have been stacked in a pile. The stacking mechanism, being synchronized with the feeding mechanism, at the termination of a predetermined number of feed movements of the bar B1, the longitudinally disposed stacking table G11 is depressed and lowersthe stack uponthe constantly moving conveyor chains C11.

Meanwhile, to permit the succeeding stack to be formed, the fingers I? are thrust forwardly along the stacking table, as shown in Figure 4, and receive the articles fed from the table B. As soon as the completed stack has been conveyed away, the table G11 rises to its normal position above the level of the chains C11, and the fingers I2 are withdrawn to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 4, dropping the already delivered articles upon the table G11.

This cycle may be carried on with a single row of articles, or of course, all articles may ments, I employV the constantly driven shaft l C Awhich periodically and intermittently rotates-the shaft D. The intermittent clutch connection is controlled, as above described, by the wedge bar or lever E which is periodically lifted by the rotation of the cam E' through the worm E1 and the worm gear E5. I also provide manual means for controlling the bar E, namely the lever E10, pivoted as at E11 to the frame members and connected to the outer end of the wedge bar E.

When the shaft D is rotated, it drives in unison with it the shaft G, the shaftG making a single rotation during the single rotation of the sha-ft D. 'Ihe shaft G is provided with cam arms G1 which lift the` levers G and thus the table G11. When the shaft-G is in itsnormal inactive position the lever. G" is engaged by said arms and raised. During the single rotation of the shaft G the table G11l is depressed by the lowering of said arms and thus by the lever G6, and the completed stack of shingles is thus lowered into contact with the constantly driven conveyor chains C11. At the end of the single rotation of the shaft G the lever G6 is lifted and the table G11 resumes its normal position, the arms G4 being again in vertical position. y

The ngers I2 are also actuated in response to the rotation of the shaft G. The shaft carries 'a pair` of cams H which engage the rollers H3 on the levers H1, the opposite ends of saidlevers being adapted to lift the weighted and hook-ended links I?. When the links I are in the position shown in full line in Figure 4 their hook ends are aligned with the pins K5 on the crank disk vK4 on' the shaft K. The shaft K is driven from the shaft D but makes two revolutions during the single revolution of the shafts D and G. When the shaft K is at rest, the pins K5 are withdrawn to the right side of the disk, as shown in dotted line in Figure 4. They are at that point in engagement with the hook end of the link I9 and the fingers I2 are thus in their 'normal 'withdrawn position as shown in dotted line in Figure 4. When the shaft K begins its rotation the crank pins ing the single revolution of the other shafts, the crank pms K1 make a second complete revolution. Before they are again aligned with the hooks I11 the cams H have passed' beyond the rollers H3 and the links I and their hook ends are dropped to the position shown in Figure 4. i=\ccordingly, the last halt' revolution of the crank disks K4 engages the pins K5 with the hooks I11 and the links I are drawn to the right, and the lingers I2 are moved again into the position shown in dotted line.

In order to align the stack as it forms and to -tap each article into place as it is delivered, I provide the tapping bar or rock shaft L upon `which is mounted the forwardly projecting tapping plate L1. As earlier described, the shaft L is eccentricallyy mounted and normally is positioned so'as to hold the tapping plate in contact wlth the outer edges of the articlesbeing stacked.

When the table G11 is depressed to the position shown in Figure 4 the arm L5 engages the slotted arm L4, rotates the eccentric sleeves Ls and moves the shaft L of the tapping plate L1 tothe position shown in Figure 4. Thus the clearance is provided for the stack as it is conveyed away on the constantly driven chain conveyor. table G11 again raises to its normal position, the shaft L and the tapping plate L1 are again moved toward the stack. The rock shaft L is normally rocked through the crank arm L10 and the link L11 in response to the constantly driven crank disk L13. Thus as each article -is fed to the shaft, it is tapped by the plate L1 into position against the vertical guide I.

The completed bundles, when the supporting table vis depressed, are engaged by the constantly driven chains C11 and are carried to the right, as in Figures l and 2 and are conveyed by the movement of the said chains, to the end of the chains C16 which pass about the sprockets C15 which are rotatably mounted on the shaft C14. In the mechanism herein illustrated the chains C16 are notI driven, but the free rotation of the sprocket-s C1 permits the successive bundles to be advanced along the chains C1, the pressure of each additional bundle serving to advance the bundle series a distance equal to the width of the bundle. The bundles thus fed alongthe chains C16 may be removed and handled in any suitable manner, whether mechanically or manually.

I claim:

l. A stacker for relatively thin acticles, comprising a vertical reciprocating receiving table and a conveyor, and means for delivering articles to said receiving. table in timed succession, and means for delivering the accumulation of such articles upon said table to said conveyor when a When the received thereupon, comprising Vin part means for downwardly moving the receiv ing -table below the level of the conveyor, and for raising it again, after the conveyor has removed the accumulated articles thereby deposited thereon.

2. A stacker for relatively thin articles,

comprising a receiving table and a conveyor, the conveyor normally underlying the surface of the receiving table, means for constantly drivingpthe conveyor, means for delivering to the table the articles being stacked, and .means for delivering the ac- 'cnmulation of such articles upon said table cession, the articles to be stacked, an endless.

chain conveyor positioned along said table, the supporting level of the tableV being normally above the level ofthe conveyor, 'means for constantly driving the conveyor, and means for delivering the accumulation of articles upon said table to said conveyor when a predetermined number of articles has been received thereupon, comprising means for changing the relative level of table and conveyor, the chain conveyor continuing longitudinally beyond the end of the table along an axis at ri ht angles to the axis of plivery of the articles to the stacking ta- 4. A stackerfor relatively thin varticles comprising a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and-a constantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, means for supporting said table '1n said elevated position comprising a lever, a. supporting connection between said lever and said table, a shaft and means for rotating it intermittently, after the feed of a predetermined number of articles, and a cam element on said shaft adapted, during nonrotation of said shaft, to hold said lever in elevated position.

5. A stacker for relatively thin articles' comprising a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and a constantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, an aligning element along said table and a tapping element adapted to tap each successive article 4into position against said aligning element, means for intermittently depressing said table to permit a predetermined accumulation of articles to be removed by predetermined number of articles has beensaid conveyor, and means for laterally moving s aid tapping element away fromsaid aligning e'liment durinfr suoli removal.

6. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprisinga receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, an aligning element along said table and 'a tapping elementl comprising a vertically movable receivingl table and means for feeding articles to it,

Valigning means along said table and tapping means adapted to tap the articles inv position a ainst said aligning means, a conveyor, an means for depressing saidv table,

after a predetermined number of articles have been fed thereto, to deposit'said articles upon said conveyor, and means,.respon sive to the movement of said table, for moving said tapping means laterally away from said aligning means. 4

8. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, aligning means along said table and tapping means adapted to tap the articles in position against said aligning means, a. conveyor, and means for depressing said table, after a predetermined number of articles have been fed thereto, to deposit said articles upon said conveyor, and means, responsive to the movement of said table, for moving said tapping means laterally away from said alio'ning means, comprising a shaft on which said tapping means is mounted, eccentric bearing elements for said shaft and means for rotating them in response to movement of the table.

9. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, aligning means along said table and tapping means adapted to tap the articles in position against said aligning means, a conveyor, and moans for depressing said table, after a predetermined number of articles have kbeen fed thereto, to deposit said articles upon said conveyor, and means, responsive to the movement of said table, for moving said tapping meanslaterally away from said aligning mea-ns, comprising a shaft on which said tapping means are mounted, eccentric bearing sleeves for the ends of said shaft, and means for rotating them in response to movement of the table, comprising levers extending from said sleeves and engaging said table.

10. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and aconstantl .driven conveyor, said table being norma ly positioned above the level of said conveyor, a shaft and means for constantly 'rotating it, two shafts radapt-ed to be intermittently driven from said' shaft, at the termination of a predetermined number of revolutions of said firstv shaft, an actuating connection between one of said intermittently driven shafts and the 'receiving table, intercepting receiving means adapted to be positioned over said table, and an' actuating connection between said intercepting receiving means and the other ofv said intermittently driven shafts.

11. ln a stacker for relatively thin arti;- cl'es, a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and a constantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, a

shaft and means for lconstantly rotating it,

vtwo shafts adapted to be intermittently driven from said first shaft at the termination of a predetermined number of revolutions of said first shaft, one through one revolution and the other lthrough two revolutions, an actuating connection between the first mentioned of said intermittently driven shafts andthe receiving table, interce ting' receiving means adapted to be positioned over said table, and `an actuating connection between such'means and the other of said intermittently driven shafts.

12. In a stacker for relatively thin articles a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it,l and a constantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, intercepting receiving means adapted to be moved into position over said table, and means for simultaneously depressing said table beneath the level of said conveyor, and for moving the intercepting receiving means into operative position, after the feed of a predetermined number of articles to said table.

13 ln a stacker for relatively thin articles a vertically lmovable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and a constantly driven conveyor, said table being -normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, intercepting receiving means adapted to be moved into position over said table, and means for simultaneously depressing said table beneath the level of said conveyor, and for moving the intercepting receiving means into operative' position,

table, and means for simultaneously de" pressing said table beneath the level of s aid conveyor, and for moving the. in tercepting receiving means into operative position,

after the feed of a predetermined number of articles to said table, comprising a plu-4 rality of shafts and means for intermittently rotating them, a lever, an actuating e011-,

nection between said lever and the receiving table, a cam element on one of said shafts adapted normally to hold said lever in raised position, and an actuating connection between anotherof said shafts and the intercepting feeding means.

15. In a stacker for relatively thin articles a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and a constantly driven conveyor, said,t.able being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, intercepting receiving means adapted to beI moved into position over said table, comprising a plurality of fingers, a supporting frame therefor, a controlling lever for said supporting frame, means for simultaneously depressing said table beneath the level of said conveyor and for moving the intercepting receiving means into operative position, comprising a plurality of shafts and means for intermittently rotating them after the feed of a predetermined number of articles to said table, a lever, an actuating connection between said lever and the receivin table, a cam element on one of said shaigts to hold said lever in raised position, a crank disk on the other of said shafts, a crank pin thereon, a connecting element pivoted to the lower end of the lever controlling the intercepting feeding means, one end thereof adapted tok be engaged by said crank in.

16. n a stacker for relatively thin articles a vertically movable receiving table. and means for feeding articles to it, and a con- .stantly driven conveyor, said table being tive position, comprising a plurality of shafts and means for intermittently rotating them after the feed of a predetermined number of articles to said table, an actuating connection between one of them an l the adapted normally receiving table, a crnk disk on the other of said shafts, a crank pin thereon, a connectcom rising a receiving table andv means foe feeding articles to it, an intercepting receiving means adapted to -be intermittently pod to be enf' sitioned above said receiving table, a ley ver controlling said intermittent receiving means, a shaft an'd means for constantly driving it, a second shaft adapted to be intermittently driven from said first, shaft, and an actuating connection between said second shaft and said lever.

18. In a stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, an intercept-ing receiving means adapted to be intermittently positioned above said receiving table, Ia le ver ncontrolling said intermittent receiving means, a shaft and means for constantly driving it., a second shaft adapted to be intermittently driven from said first shaft, a connection member secured to said lever, a crank pin mounted on said shaft, said connection member being adapted to be engaged by said crank pin and held in withdrawn position during non-rotation of said shaft.

19. In a stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, an intercepting receiving means adapted to be intermittently positioned above said receiving table, a lever controlling said intermittent receiving table, a lever controlling said intermittent receiv. ing means, a shaft and means for constantly driving it, a second shaft adapted to be intermittenti)r driven from said first shaft, a connection member secured to said lever, a crank pin mounted on said shaft, said connection member being adapted to be engaged by said crank pin and held in withdrawn position during non-rotation of said shaft, and being shaped to engage said crank pin during rotation of said shaft and pin, and means for intermittently disengaging itfrom said crank pin.

20. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, and a constantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, intercepting means adapted to be moved into position over said,table, a controlling lever for said means, means for simultaneously depressing said table beneath the level of said conveyor, and for moving the intercepting means into operative position above the table comprising a constantly driven drive shaft, a driven shaft adapted to be intermittently driven from said drive shafts, a worm on said drive shaft, a Worm `gear in mesh therewith, a' shaft rotated by said worm gear, a cam member on said shaft, a lever adapted to be actuated by said cam membena constantly driven clutch member rotatable about said intermittently driven shaft, an opposed clutch member keyed en member to permit engagement of said clutch members and rotation of said shaft, a. plurality of shafts. adapted to be driven from and during the rotation of said last mentioned shaft, a lever, an actuating connection between said levcnand receiving table, a cam element on one of said last mentioned shafts adapted normally to hold said lever in raised position, during non-rotation of said shaft, a. crank pin on the other of said shafts, a connecting element secured to 'the lower end of the lever controlling the intercepting means, one end thereof adapted to be engaged by said crank pin, said crank pin bearing shaft being adapted to rotate through -two revolutions during. a single revolution of the other shaft, a cam on said last mentioned shaft, and a member controlled thereby and adapted to lift said connecting element out of engagement with the crank pin during one revolution thereof.

21. In a stacker for relativel thin arvticles, a vertically movable receiving table and means for feeding articles'to it, and aconstantly driven conveyor, said table being normally positioned above the level of said conveyor, means for lowering said table in relation to said conveyor, after the feeding thereto of a predetermined number of art-icles, comprising a lever, a connection between said lever and said table, an intermittently driven shaft, a cam element thereon, said cam element being adapted normally to hold said lever in raised` position during nonrotation of said shaft.

22. In a stacker for relatively-thin articles, a receiving table andmeans for feeding articles to it, intercepting receiving means adapted to be interposed above said table,

a lever controlling the movement of said inadapted to be interposed above sai table, a

lever controllin the movement o said interceptlng receiving means, a shaft and means for intermittently driving it after the .delivery of a predtermined number of ar- `ticles to' said table, a crank pin associated with` said shaft,-}a connecting member secured to said lever, and adapted to be engaged by said crank pin, and'mea'ns for p moving said member out of engagement with said crank pin.

24. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, interceptingreceiving means adapted to lbe interposed above said table, a lever controlling the movementzf said intercepting receiving mans,'a shaft and means for in,-`

iermittently driving it after the delivery of a predetermined number of articles to said table, a crank pin associated with said shaft, a connecting member secured to said lever, the end of said connecting member`being notched to receive said crank pin, said pin being adapted to remain normally in e11- gagement with said notch, and in position to hold said intercepting receiving means in inoperative. position, during non-rotation of 'said shaft.

Ato lremain normally in enga-gement with said notch, and in position to hold said interceptingr receiving means in inoperative position, during non-rotation of said shaft, means for breaking the operative connection between crank pin and connecting member after, a one-half revolution of the pin, means for restoring said operative connection after an additional revolution of said pin', and means for terminating the rotation of said pin.

26. ln a stacker for. relatively thin articles, a receiving table and mea-ns for feeding articles to it, intercepting receiving means adapted to be interposed above said table, a lever controlling the lmovementpf said intercepting receiving means, a shaft and means for intermittently driving it after the delivery of a predetermined number of articles to said table, a crank pin associated with said shaft, a connecting member secured to said lever, the end of said connecting member being notched to receive said crank pin. said pin being adapted to remain normally in engagement with said notch, and

in position to hold said intercepting receiv-l ing means in inoperative position, during non-rotation of said shaft, means for llftmg the connectmg member out of contactwith the crank pin after one-half revolution of the pin, and for permitting it to be engaged by said pin after an additional revolution of said pin, comprising a second shaft, and a cam member thereon, and a connection between said cam member and the' connecting member.

27. In a stacker for relatively thini:

. -ing it tixed at such normal level until the succeeding stack is completed, and an idlerconveyor positioned beyond said constantly driven conveyor andadapted to receive therefrom the accumulation of articles delivered thereto.

28. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table, an intercepting table, and intercepting receiving means adapted to be interposed above said, table, a lever adapted to actuate said intercepting receiving means,a shaft about which said lever rotates, a bearing sleeve positioned on said shaft, a tiange at one end of said sleeve, a yielding washer positioned about said sleeve at the opposite side of said lever, a securing ring and means for adjustably moving said ring along said sleeve toward said' lever.

29. In a stacker for relatively thin "articles, a receiving table, an intercepting table, and intercepting receiving means adapted to be interposed above said table, a

lever adapted to ac tuate said intercepting receiving means, ashaft about which said lever rotates, compressible washers positioned on said shaft about said lever and means for adjusting the compression of said washers about said lever.

30. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table, an intercepting table, and intercepting receivlng means adapted to be interposed above said table, a

lever adapted. to actuate said interceptingreceiving means, a shaft. about which said lever rotates, coinpressible washers positioned on said shaft about said lever and means for adjusting the compression of said washers about said lever, comprising a bearing sleeve, a flange at one end of said sleeve, the opposite end being screw-threaded, and a collar screw-threaded thereabout.

3l. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a receiving table and a conveyor,

the receiving table being normally positioned above the level of the conveyor, means for delivering articles in timed succession to said receiving table, and means for deliveriug the accumulation of such articles upon said table to said conveyor when a predetermined. munter of articles has been received thereupon, comprising in part means for reversing the relative levels of table and conveyor, and for immediately thereafter returning them, by a second reverse movement in the opposite direction, to their original of such articles upon said table to said con-l veyor when a predetermined number of articles has been received thereupon, comprising in part means for downwardly moving said table below the level of sald conveyfn', and for immediately thereafter returning said table upwardly above the level of said conveyor, and means for maintaining said tableat a constant level intermediate said delivery excursion.

33. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a receiving table and a conveyor, the receiving table being normally positioned above the level of the conveyor, means f or delivering articles in timed succession to said receiving table, and means for periodically reciprocating said table downwardly to and upwardly from a level below the normal level of the conveyor, comprising in part a constantlydriven timing shaft, a trip member controlled thereby, a table supporting member adapted normally to be supported by said trip member, and means for periodically actuating said trip member to lower said table supporting member after a predetermined rotation of said timing shaft. A

84. A stacker for relatively thin articles comprising a receiving table and a conveyor, the receiving table being normally positioned above the level of the conveyor, means for delivering articles in timed succession to said receiving table, and means for periodically reciprocating said table downwardly to and upwardly from a level below the normal level of the conveyor, comprising in part a constantly driven timing shaft, a trip member controlled thereby, a lever adapted normally to be contacted and supported by said cam, a supporting connection between said lever and said tablc, meansfor periodically actuating said trip member to lower said lever and said table after a predetermined rotation of said timing shaft, and vertical guides at the ends of said tables.

35. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table and a conveyor,

y after a predetermined feed thereof, comprlsing in part means for reversing the relative level of the conveyor and the table.

36. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table, and a conveyor, means for maintaining the level of said receiving table normally fixed above the effective level of the conveyor, and supplemental receiving means adapted t0 be laterally moved into position above said table, means for delivering the accumulation of articles on said table to said conveyor, after a predetermined feed thereof, comprising in art means for reversing the relative level o the conveyor and the table, and means for substantially simultaneously moving the supplemental receiving means into position above the table.

37. In a stacker, a stacking table, endless conveyor elements aligned along each side of said table at a level slightly below the upper surface of said table, means for feeding articles to said table along a path substantially at rightangles to the path of said conveyor elements, and means, responsive to the feed of a redetermined number of said articles for epressng said table and depositing the completed stack upon said conveyoru 38. ln a stacker, a stacking table, endless conveyor elements aligned along each side of'sald table at a level slightly below the upper surface of said table, means for feeding articles to said table along a patin substantially at right angles tothe path of said conveyor elements, and means, responsive to the feed of a predetermined number of said articles for changing the relative level of table and conveyor and depositing the completed stack upon said conveyor.

39. In a stacker for relatively thin articles, a receiving table and means for feeding articles to it, intercepting receiving .means adapted to be inter osed above said table, a lever controlling t e movement of said intercepting receiving means, 'a shaft and means for intermittently driving it after the delivery of a predetermined number of articles to said table, a crank pin associated with said shaft, a connecting mem- `ber secured to said lever, the end of said connecting member being notched to receive said crank pin, said pin being adapted to remain normally inengagement with said notch, and in position to hold said intercepting receiving means in inoperative position, during non-rotation of said shaft, means for liftinv the connecting member out of contact lwith the crank pin after one-half revolution of the pin, and for permittin it to be engaged by said pin after an a ditional revolution of said pin, comprising a second shaft, and a cam member thereon, and a connection between said cam member and the connecting member, comprising a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, one end of said lever adapted to engage said cam, the other end adapted to engage and lift said connectin member.,

Signed at hica o, county of Cook and Stateof Illinois, t is 24th` day of November, 1924. 

